Bloody Show and other delights - how near is labour? Sorry for TMI!

[zambooloo]

Hi, I'm 40+4 and yesterday lunch time I had a small, clear mucus blob in my knickers - I assume that is the mucus plug? Then last night felt very uncomfortable and was sure I was in labour as was having constant dull backache and what I can only assume were contractions (sort of period type pains across my lower stomach which came on then disappeared) for over 2 hours every 10 mins. I fell asleep, woke up at 4 and they had stopped. They have not reappeared today but have had constant dull backache all day.

Also last night and all throughout today I have had bloody mucus sort of pink or brown when I go to the toilet. Is this a bloody show?

Basically I'd like to know if this all means labour is imminent? Has anyone any experience of this? Any advice/ opinions welcome - this is 1st pregnancy so have no clue.

Thank you.

The mucus with pink in is a bloody show, and means things are starting to get going.

Personally I had labour start within 24 hours following the bloody show, with my first it was several hours before the contractions started and then more than another 24 hours before giving birth, my other pregnancies the show occurred several hours before the labour, but fast labours mean that I gave birth less than 24 hours after the bloody show.

Backache can occur in back-to-back labours, it might be worth letting your midwife know about the show and they might want to see you, they did with my first and they sent me home again for labouring.

It looks like you will be soon in full labour, very exciting.

I agree, it sounds as though it's starting! As everyone will say, every labour is different. DS1, I had a show after two quite string contractions, and it was 12 hours before he was born. DS2, my waters went, no show at all, and he was born around 12 hours later.

I would try and rest now, until it really kicks off. X

Strong, not string!

I think my dd arrived about 3 hours after I had a bloody show! With your backache as well, I would guess you are going in to labour. How exciting, good luck! x

I didn't have a show with DS or DD1 but with DD2 I had a huge show after a sweep and she wasn't born for another 6 days.